SR0907 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0907 LRB103 40179 ECR 71996 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert E. "Bob" Jones of Danville, who passed away on February 6, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Bob Jones was born to Jewell and Julia (Foley) Jones in Danville on November 20, 1938 and was raised by his father and his stepmother, Beulah Jones; he attended Daniel Grade School and graduated from Danville High School in 1956, where he was a varsity letterman and was elected captain of the wrestling team; he attended Danville Junior College and Illinois State University in Normal; he served as a cook in the U.S. Army Reserves for eight years; and

WHEREAS, Bob Jones obtained his first job at Hall Grocery in 1952; he then worked at Jocko's Root Beer and Putt-Putt Golf; he opened Country Corner Farmer's Market in 1965 and drove a school bus in the off season; he operated Colonial Parkway Restaurant from 1970 to 1995, and he later purchased a Dairy Queen, operating the restaurant for over 40 years; and

WHEREAS, Bob Jones served as treasurer of the Danville Township Board from 1978 to 1986; he was elected as mayor of Danville in 1986, remaining in office until 2002; and

WHEREAS, Bob Jones served on the Danville Economic Development Board and was instrumental in bringing the McLane, Fiberteq, Alcoa, and Sygma companies to the Danville area; he also served on the Danville Township CRIS Board and the Vermilion County Board of Health; and

WHEREAS, Bob Jones was a member of the First Church of Nazarene in Danville; he was active in the Anchor Lodge and became a 33rd Degree Mason in 1987; through the Masonic Lodge, he was instrumental in bringing the Children's Dyslexia Center of Central Illinois to Danville; he was also a member of the Lion's Club for over 50 years, often participating in their chili dinners, and a member of the Kiwanis, where he cooked many pancakes for their annual breakfast; later in life, he officiated high school and collegiate wrestling for 21 years; and

WHEREAS, Bob Jones was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, John Jones and Charles Jones; and his sister, Juanita Holtz; and

WHEREAS, Bob Jones is survived by his niece, Terry (John) Kubichan; his nephew, Deak (Debbie) Holtz; his sister-in-law, Charlotte Jones; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and his special friends, Carla Priest, Jeff Sirratt and Jim Pope; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert E. "Bob" Jones and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Bob Jones as an expression of our deepest sympathy.